Germany's Sholz says 'strong Ukraine' essential for Europe's security
4 Min Read
The German chancellor rejects Russia's calls to demilitarize and neutralize Ukraine, insisting that this demand "cannot be accepted".
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German Chancellor Olaf Scholz attends a news conference at the Social Democratic Party (SPD) headquarters in Berlin, Germany, Monday, February 24, 2025. (AP)
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz said on Monday that European security must center around a strong Ukraine in response to Russia's demilitarization calls, following British Prime Minister Kier Starmer's Sunday announcement of a new coalition of nations willing to empower Kiev against Moscow.
Russia pins the start of the war on the expansion of the NATO alliance close to its borders, insisting on the permanent resolution of Ukraine maintaining neutrality and demilitarizing, something Scholz dismissed, saying that "the Russian perspectives cannot be accepted."
Scholz said that "the question of demilitarization that Russia demands cannot be accepted.," adding that “Ukraine must be… so strong that it is not attacked again.” The German chancellor also voiced concerns about the potential emergence of a less confrontational government in Kiev, considering it unacceptable for a "democratic and sovereign nation" like Ukraine.
Europe discusses Ukraine in London
More than a dozen European leaders congregated in London on March 2 to discuss the war in Ukraine, where the British PM announced that his country and France are working with Ukraine toward a plan to end the war in Ukraine, which recently entered its 3rd year.
"We have to find a way that we can all work together. Because, in the end, we've had three years of bloody conflict. Now we need to get to that lasting peace," Starmer said to the BBC, announcing that the United Kingdom, along with France and possibly one or two others, will work with Ukraine on a plan to stop the fighting, and then we'll discuss that plan with the United States."
The discussions also focused on Europe's defense cooperation, with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte affirming that European nations would up their defense spending to bolster the alliance, which has backed Ukraine throughout its war.
The British PM emphasized that "no one wants to witness" a recurrence of the row between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on February 28, which created a diplomatic rift between the two countries.
Trump and Zelensky argue at the oval office
The meeting between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky at the Oval Office collapsed after the two presidents got into a heated exchange, spoiling the minerals deal expected to be signed after the meeting as Trump kicked Zelensky out of the White House.
A senior US official told Reuters that while Trump had not dismissed the possibility of an agreement, he maintained that Ukraine must first be ready for a "constructive conversation," adding that rescheduling the canceled press conference would depend on the Ukrainian side.
Trump warned Zelensky against setting terms for Washington, stressing that the US was focused on resolving the conflict, "We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us how we're going to feel, because you're in no position to dictate that. You're in no position to dictate what we’re going to feel," Trump asserted firmly.
The US president also asserted that Ukraine is not winning the war, "Your country is in big trouble. I know you're not winning. You're not winning this," he told Zelensky, adding that the US is "We're trying to solve a problem. Don't tell us what we're going to feel, because you're in no position to dictate that," cautioning the Ukrainian president of imposing terms to Washington.
